Odisha’s BJD demands Haryana CM’s scalp over Dera violence

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday demanded BJP leader and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s resignation over the widespread violence in the area that erupted after Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was found guilty in a rape case by a special CBI court yesterday.

Holding the BJP-led Haryana government responsible for the collapse of law and order situation in the northern states, the BJD said the Khattar has no moral rights to continue as CM.

“Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar is fully responsible for the violence and must step down as CM on moral grounds,” said BJD spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Pratap Deb.

Meanwhile, State unit of BJP said the matter should be kept away from politics. “The Dera violence should not be politicized,” said BJP State General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan.

The Haryana government should have taken precautionary measures in advance as it was amply clear that the verdict will create law and order situation.

On the other hand, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, slamming the Manohar Khattar government over Dera violence, said: “You surrendered to the situation.”

So far, more than 30 people were killed while over 250 others were injured in the violence started by the Dera followers, who massed near a court in Panchkula went berserk, burning cars, damaging property and targeting residents. The violence later spread to Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan.